What profession would you pursue if SAD didn't stand in your way?

[Small Talkward]

I love detective shows and movies, and I know I would have made a great FBI agent if it weren't for my social awkwardness. Out of curiosity, what profession would you pursue if SAD didn't stand in your way?

As a followup question, are you working towards your dream job in spite of SAD?

[Dougella]

I would have liked to have done something art related, as I studied art. But I also might have liked to have been a sexual health nurse/counsellor or a politician

[Mo34]

Vet nurse particular equines or field animals.


Or something Art or writing related - again when I was younger.


I would still prefer to be working with animals than what I'm doing at the min but sa (to an extent) and the fact that financially I can't pursue this in the way I would like means it's probably a no go.

[Jen.]

Probably actor, I suppose. In school I equally loved and feared drama lessons at the same time, and they account for some of my most enjoyable and most anxious memories from that period. The school had a great drama department and a big theatre and always put a lot of effort into plays and musicals. I used to enjoy improv lessons especially and was told by a couple of teachers that I was good at it, but SA always stopped me from taking it further by auditioning for anything. I know I would have been a complete wreck trying to perform in front of an audience, since it was bad enough when we had to do our group work in front of the rest of the class.

During the first few weeks of university I attempted to audition for a play the theatre society was putting on, and then again a couple of months later, but both times I got as far as a corridor near the room and then turned and went home. I don't have any desire to pursue this now though.

[Jwalk]

When I was a little kid I wanted to be a policeman.

I thought about joining the Navy when I was younger. I made it to the recruitment centre when I was 18, but I didn't complete my application for various reasons.

Not sure what I want to do now.

[Moksha]

SA isn’t the only thing that stops you realising your dreams. There is also luck, money, and lack of talent. If nothing had stood in my way, and I had been both free of mental illness AND had limitless intellect, talent and luck, then:

- A Monty Python style comedy actor/writer, starring in some dark, edgy, cult comedy show

- An Alan Moore style graphic novelist

- A classics professor who also wrote poetry and translations

I sometimes wonder what it would have been like to be in the forces for a bit as well, especially something like the navy. The experiences you’d have would be amazing. I have barely lived compared to some people.

More than anything, though, I would have liked to do something creative. Nothing else really interested me. Even as a kid I couldn’t understand why someone took pride in being a doctor or a teacher or policeman. To me, you were either creative or dead. When I grew up, and realised I was not only crippled with mental illness but also had zero talent, all ambition ceased. Now it’s just a question of working to survive.

[Mr. Nobody]

I would have loved to have been an art teacher,
I have always had a genuine passion for the visual arts,
And I've always liked helping people and perhaps inspiring them,..

I was encouraged to be a private art tutor, and even had potential pupils at one point, but just freaked at the idea of actually doing it and all my fears, anxieties, misgivings, and low self-esteem just overwhelmed me, and I just crawled back into my shell,..

[Mr. Nobody]

^

thanks Nanuq,

yes,. I really need to get into being creative again,

I've seen your work too,. you've really got a talent Nanuq

[Amara 94]

At the moment, idk if it’s serious but barbering. Maybe even practice makeup.

[Utopia]

Well, before I became depressed and realised I had SA I had places at top universities to study a Physics degree, so I may well have become a research physicist, believe it or not . It's just a curiosity of mine and was the subject I was best at at school, but I'm interested in a lot of things, including things that can more readily be applied to the real world. I am intelligent in some ways and completely and utterly clueless in others, so it's not everything anyway, but it is an interest of mine.

[roro_1990]

No idea. I've never known what I wanted to be when I grow up, and that's as true now at 30 as it was when I was 12. No job or career really appeals to me.

[Mellie]

I wouldn't mind being a actor , also a mental health worker but no gcse's so can't do either.

[snoo]

I started out working for a bank, wanted something as an analyst, or consultant.

Anxiety kind of kicked in for me around this time. I ended up quitting after 6 months.

Kind of makes me feel sad, because if it was based on ability, or attitude, I'd have no problems. But often it isn't in these kind of jobs and being good at office politics can work wonders.

Often wonder what might have happened if I had simply held on....I do suspect in part some of my problems developed by dropping out of the workplace.

[Mo34]

Originally Posted by skittles88

I wouldn't mind being a actor , also a mental health worker but no gcse's so can't do either.

No gcses shouldn't hold you back. Though you could do English and Maths as an adult if you really felt you wanted/needed to.

I do some permitted work for Mind as a mental health support worker and lots of ppl there have moved on to become recovery workers - there from all walks of life and backgrounds. Lived experience of mental health is as valued.

[Small Talkward]

These are great answers. Thank you for taking the time to respond.

[neilm]

Possibly a Politician, or (if i had the skills/talent etc) an Architect

[Introspheric87]

I would have loved to work in the publishing industry as an editorial manager.

[gregarious_introvert]

My fantasy job would have been musician, but (although I do have stage fright) lack of talent was a bigger inhibition in that respect than anxiety.

My realistic ambition was to be a politician (and ultimately Prime Minister).

[firemonkey]

If I wasn't such a ****ed up mess- Labour politician.

[genovese]

^ Pretty sure that's a pre requisite?

[Dougella]

^ For all politicians, or just the Labour ones

[Gosties]

Maybe a Primary School Teacher.
Within my current employment have had professionals suggest that I should aim higher.
It's not ability on my part it's a reluctance to put myself more out there in that regard.
I can be described as working in an environment currently that's safe in regards to coping with my anxiety.

[Gosties]

RE:- Skittles88

As mentioned there are education programs available to improve your level. Access programs etc.
We are never complete so can evolve and take steps to get where we wish to be. But it's not easy.
You probably have the capability but require someone who can help you take the opportunity.

[genovese]

^^^ Oh definitely all

Except maybe Caroline Lucas

[Mellie]

yes I guess, just not sure I can learn things very well, I can't focus on things when I'm around people.

[Indigo_]

Originally Posted by Gosties

Maybe a Primary School Teacher.
Within my current employment have had professionals suggest that I should aim higher.
It's not ability on my part it's a reluctance to put myself more out there in that regard.
I can be described as working in an environment currently that's safe in regards to coping with my anxiety.

I used to be a primary school teacher, it can be achievable

[Mr. Nobody]

Looking back at this, I'm wondering if I wouldn't have been some kind of performer,..
Before things got 'ugly' SA-wise I recall that I always liked public speaking and being the centre of attention,
I always volunteered to be in the school play and thrived on being the top at sports days etc.
But my main thing was speaking in public,
I loved story-telling and using language, vocabulary, witicisms etc.
I was probably quite erudite when I was younger,

I had a few unfortunate episodes a year or so later and just seemed to retreat into my shell and silently implode thereafter.

Funny how things turn out,

[Gosties]

Originally Posted by Indigo_

I used to be a primary school teacher, it can be achievable

Thanks

[3stacks]

Circus freak

Sent from my SM-G988B using Tapatalk

[Marco]

I think I would like to have tried teaching, maybe at college level. I'd definitely have given it a go if I hadn't been so socially anxious and terrified of speaking in front of people. Maybe, or rather probably, I wouldn't have made a good teacher anyway. Tbh, I never discovered in myself any obvious talent that I could use to earn a living or enjoy a rewarding career. It's been a case of somehow getting by with that sense of underachievement haunting me. At least I've managed to stay employed since leaving uni for which I am very grateful, but roll on retirement!